System for spraying plants with automated nozzle selection

ABSTRACT

A system for spraying plants comprises a location-determining receiver for estimating a position of a sprayer with respect to one or more rows of plants. A distance sensor is arranged to measure a distance between a nozzle assembly and a plant row segment. A guidance module is adapted to align the nozzle assembly with a target path between the rows of plants, such as a centered path between the rows, or offset between the rows of the plants. A first nozzle is targeted toward a first zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a first spray pattern of the first nozzle. A second nozzle is targeted toward a second zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a second spray pattern of the second nozzle. A nozzle selection module for selecting automatically a first nozzle or a second nozzle based on maximum coverage of a target zone around the plant segment based on the first zone, the second zone, and the measured distance.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a system for spraying plants with automatednozzle selection.

BACKGROUND

Certain prior art sprayers may use a Y-drop sprayer configuration wheretwo nozzles are arranged in an inverted Y to spray plants simultaneouslyin two adjacent rows. If the nozzles are fixed in position, the nozzlesmay not provide the sprayed liquid to target root zone or target foliagezone, where such zones can vary for application of nutrients versusother crop treatments, such as pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide.Accordingly, there is need for a system and method for spraying plantswith automated nozzle selection.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a system for spraying plantscomprises a location-determining receiver for estimating a position of asprayer with respect to one or more rows of plants. A distance sensor isarranged to measure a distance between a nozzle assembly and a plant rowsegment (e.g., plant stem of a corresponding plant or a series of plantstems). A guidance module is adapted to align the nozzle assembly with atarget path between the rows of plants, such as a centered path betweenthe rows, or an offset path between the rows of the plants. A firstnozzle is targeted toward a first zone with respect to the plant rowsegment (e.g., plant stem) based on a first spray pattern of the firstnozzle. A second nozzle is targeted toward a second zone with respect tothe plant row segment (e.g., plant stem) based on a second spray patternof the second nozzle. A nozzle control module controls, activates orselects automatically a first nozzle or a second nozzle based on maximumcoverage of a target zone around the plant row segment (e.g., plant stemor a series of plant stems) based on the first zone, the second zone,and the measured distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system for sprayingplants.

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of an illustrative sprayer vehicleand implement that hosts the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the sprayer implement of FIG. 2 as viewed alongreference line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the rectangular region 4 in FIG. 3, wherethe region includes a nozzle head.

FIG. 5 illustrates a lateral separation or alignment of the nozzle headto adjacent rows of plants and target zones (e.g., target root zones) onthe ground.

FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of a block diagram of a system forspraying plants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in this document, “adapted to” means programmed with softwareinstructions, arranged to, or configured to perform a task, calculation,estimation, communication, or other function set forth in the documentwith a logic device, data processor or other electronic structure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system 11 for sprayingplants. In one embodiment, the system 11 for spraying plants comprises avehicle data processing system 12 and an implement data processingsystem 42. The vehicle data processing system 12 of FIG. 1 comprises afirst data processor 14, a first data storage device 16, first dataports 24 and a user interface 28 coupled to a first data bus 26. Thefirst data processor 14, the first data storage device 16, the dataports 24, and the user interface 28 can communicate with each other viathe first data bus 26.

In one embodiment, a location-determining receiver 10 is coupled to atleast one of the first data ports 24. A vehicle control system 27 iscoupled to the first data ports 24 or the first data bus 26. Forexample, a steering controller 31, braking controller 35, and propulsioncontroller 39 may be coupled, directly to the first data ports 24, orindirectly to the vehicle data processing system 12 (or to the dataports) via a vehicle data bus 26. In turn, the steering controller 31 isconnected to the steering system 33; the braking controller 35 isconnected to the braking system 37; the propulsion controller 39 isconnected to the propulsion system 29.

In one embodiment, the implement data processing system 42 comprises asecond data processor 38, a second data storage device 46, and seconddata ports 36 coupled to a second data bus 40. The second data processor38, the second data storage device 46, and the second data ports 36 cancommunicate with each other via the second data bus 40. In oneembodiment, a distance sensor 30 (e.g., range sensor) and an optionalcrop height sensor 32 are coupled to the second data ports 36. Inanother embodiment, an optional imaging device 34 (e.g., stereo digitalcamera) is coupled to the second data ports 36. The optional crop heightsensor 32 and the optional imaging device 34 are shown in dashed linesto indicate one or both are optional and may be deleted from certainconfigurations. In some configurations, the first data ports 24 and thesecond data ports 36 can communicate with each other via acommunications line 88 or shared memory, for example.

The first data processor 14, the second data processor 38 or bothcomprise a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a digital signalprocessor, a programmable logic array, a logic device, an arithmeticlogic unit, an application specific integrated circuit or anotherelectronic processing device for inputting, outputting, processing ormanipulating data.

The first data storage device 16, the second data storage device 46, orboth comprises electronic memory, non-volatile random access memory, anoptical disc, an optical storage device, a magnetic disc, a magneticstorage device, a hard drive or another mechanism for storing, accessingand retrieving data.

In one embodiment, first data storage device 16 stores a target pathplanner 18 and guidance module 19, a target zone estimator 20 and anapplication plan module 22. Each module may comprise software,electronic hardware, or both.

The target path planner 18 provides a path plan for the vehicle 61 orsprayer to following in a field, such as a plan to make passes or swathsin the field to cover an enter field area with minimum overlap of cropinputs or sprayed materials 101. For example, the target path planner 18may establish a path plan for the vehicle 61 to follow with alocation-determining receiver 10 and a vehicle guidance module 19. Thevehicle guidance module 19 can send command data or command signals tothe steering controller 31, the braking controller 35, and thepropulsion controller 39 via one or more data ports 24 or via thevehicle data bus such that the vehicle 61 tracks a path plan.

In one embodiment, a steering controller 31, a braking controller 35 andpropulsion controller 39 communicate to the first data ports 24 viacommunication lines or a vehicle data bus, such as controller areanetwork (CAN) data bus. In turn, the steering controller 31 communicateswith the steering system 33, such as an electrohydraulic steering system33 or an electrical steering system 33. The vehicle guidance module 19generates command data or command signals to send steering commands tothe steering controller 31 to track the path plan, target heading ortarget yaw, such as a target path where one or more nozzle assembliesare substantially centered between adjacent plant rows or plant rowsegments. The vehicle guidance module 19 may use position data form thelocation-determining receiver 10 or the optional imaging device 34, orboth.

The braking controller 35 is coupled to a braking system 37, such as anelectrohydraulic braking system 37, an electrical braking system 37 or amechanical braking system 37. The braking controller 35 is coupled to afirst data port.

The propulsion controller 39 is coupled to a propulsion unit, such asone more electric drive motors, an internal combustion engine, or aninternal combustion engine that provides rotational mechanical energy toa generator or an alternator that provides electrical energy to one ormore electric drive motors. The propulsion controller 39 is coupled to afirst data port 24.

In one embodiment, a target zone estimator 20 estimates a target zonefor applying crop inputs or treatments for application to plants, plantrows, plant row segments, soil zones, or soil. For example, crop inputscomprise insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, chemicals,nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, chemicals, or aqueous solutionsfor applying to treat plants or the soil. Each target zone may beassociated with a corresponding waypoint, a range of waypoints, a pathsegment, a point or geographic location, such as a plant or plant rowsegment, along the path plan of the sprayer or vehicle 61. In oneembodiment, the target zone estimator 20 determines or implements thezones, concentration, and amount of crop inputs applied for eachcorresponding waypoint, point or geographic location along the path planof the sprayer or vehicle 61, which in turn may determine the number ofnozzles of a nozzle assembly 60 that are activated on the boom and thepositions or sections of nozzles that are activated on the boom bynozzle actuators (44, 47, 48).

In one configuration, the target zone estimator 20 can select from oneof several strips (e.g., by activing a particular nozzle in a verticalarray of nozzles or a nozzle assembly 60) that are parallel to eachplant row (e.g., a geometric centerline of each plant row or centerpoint) to direct or apply the crop inputs toward a selected one of theseveral strips, for a corresponding segment of each plant row. As usedin this document, a nozzle assembly 60 shall be synonymous with a nozzlehead. In one embodiment, the nozzle assembly 60 can provides a targetfirst zone, second zone and third zone based on whether the row unit iscentered between adjacent plant row segments and the lateral row spacing(or row width) between adjacent plant row segments. In a first example,even if the lateral row spacing or row width varies or if the nozzleassembly is laterally offset from a center point between the adjacentrows, the nozzle assembly 60 can compensate by activating, separately orcollectively, different nozzles in each vertical array to targetdifferent zones on each side or opposite sides of the nozzle assembly60. In a second example, the target zone estimator 20 or the nozzlecontrol module 50 activates nozzles of the nozzle assembly 60 directedtoward the first zone for a corresponding narrow width row, a secondzone for a corresponding medium width row, and a third zone for acorresponding wide width row, where the narrow width row has lessdistance between adjacent row segments than the medium width row or thewide width row.

In one embodiment, the application plan module 22 estimates the cropinputs that are applied for a certain field along with a lateraldistance or offset between a nozzle assembly 60 or nozzle and one ormore plant rows. The PPP module 52 may estimate the lateral position ofthe sprayer or wheels based on the position data from thelocation-determining receiver 10 or distance data from one or moredistance sensors 30 associated with the row unit to provide a distanceestimate between the plant row (e.g., plant row segment) and the rowunit or nozzle assembly 60. In one embodiment, the nozzle control module50 can decide which nozzle in a vertical array of nozzles to activatefor a row unit for any given waypoint, plant or section of plants in arow. Each nozzle assembly 60 and its actuators (or any optional dataprocessor or controller) can communicate with the second data processor38 via cable 204 (e.g., wiring or communications line and power line)and one or more second data portions 36.

In conjunction with the distance sensor 30, the location-determiningreceiver 10, the imaging device 34, and the plant proximity processing(PPP) module 52 may estimate the distance between one or more nozzles(of the nozzle assembly 60) and a corresponding row or rows of plants.The PPP module 52 may comprise a lateral position estimator that canestimate whether a lateral position of the sprayer or its wheels, ortracks or centered in a plant row or offset with respect to the centerof the plant row to provide more concentrated application of crop inputto certain area of foliage or a strip of ground relative to the row ofplants.

In one embodiment, the distance sensor 30 may comprise an ultrasonicrange finder, a laser range detector, an optical sensor that sends anultrasonic signal, laser signal or optical signal, respectively, towarda plant row, a plant, a stalk, stem or trunk, a leaf canopy, or foliageto estimate or measure a lateral distance between a reference point onthe boom or sprayer to the plant row, plant, leaf canopy, or foliage.For example, a laser range finder may comprise a light detection andranging (LIDAR) device. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, orFIG. 4, the reference point may be aligned with a reference nozzle, anozzle assembly 60 or a central point, such as central vertical axis ofsupply lines 64 to a nozzle assembly 60 (e.g., Y-drop nozzle assembly).In an alternate embodiment, the distance sensor 30 in FIG. 1 maycomprise a stereo imaging device.

In one embodiment, one or more rows of the sprayer vehicle 61 areassociated with one or more corresponding distance sensors (30 in FIG.1, or 130R, 130L in FIG. 4); the second data processor 38 may process oraverage distance estimates or measurements for a sampling interval toattain a median, mean, or mode distance (between the nozzle assembly 60and the plant row unit) in the aggregate for all of the rows andassociated row units (e.g., nozzle assemblies 60) of the vehicle 61. Inother embodiments, one or more rows of the sprayer vehicle 61 areassociated with corresponding distance sensors (130L, 130R in FIG. 4).For instance, a pair of distance sensors (130L, 130R) on the row unit ornozzle assembly 60 face opposite directions from each other; eachdistance sensor (e.g., 30, 130L or 130R) is configured to measure adistance between the row unit and a proximate plant portion of acorresponding plant row segment that each distance sensor faces.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a set (e.g.,pair) of first nozzles (222L, 222R) is associated with the row unit,where the first nozzles have corresponding first outlets facingdifferent or opposite directions. Each of the first nozzles (222L, 222R)is directed toward a first zone (432L or 432R) with respect to theproximate plant portion of a corresponding plant row segment based on afirst spray pattern 75 of each first nozzle (222L, 222R), where the setof first nozzles positioned above the second pair of nozzles inrespective vertical arrays. A set (e.g., pair) of second nozzles (224L,224R) is associated with the row unit or nozzle assembly 60, where thesecond nozzles (224L, 224R) have corresponding second outlets facingdifferent or opposite directions. Each of the second nozzles (224L,224R) is directed toward a second zone (434L or 434R) with respect tothe proximate plant portion of a corresponding plant row segment basedon a second spray pattern 77 of the second nozzle (224L, 224R). A set(e.g., pair) of third nozzles (226L, 226R) is associated with the rowunit or nozzle assembly 60, where the third nozzles (226L, 226R) havecorresponding third outlets facing different or opposite directions.Each of the third nozzles (226L, 226R) is directed toward a third zone(436L or 436R) with respect to the proximate plant portion of acorresponding plant row segment based on a third spray pattern 79 of thesecond nozzle.

Each nozzle assembly 60 for each row unit is controlled independentlybased on the corresponding distance measurement for its row that ismeasured by the distance sensor (30, 130L or 130R). A nozzle controlmodule 50 selects or activates any two of the nozzles (222L, 224L, 226L,222R, 224R, or 226R) of the nozzle assembly 60 based on maximum coverageof a target zone around the proximate plant portion of the one or morerows based on the first zone (432L, 432R), the second zone (434L, 434R),the third zone (436L, 436R) and the measured distance or measureddistances that are measured by the distance sensor (30, 130L or 130R).

In one embodiment, an operator or user enters, via the user interface28, an average, median or mode measurement of crop height samples takenin a field or portion of the field. The user interface 28 comprises oneor more of the following: a display, a touch screen display, a keyboard,a keypad, and a pointing device (e.g., electronic mouse, touch pad ortrackball).

In one embodiment, the optional height sensor 32 comprises an acousticplant height sensor, an optical plant height sensor, a light detectionand range (LIDAR) device, or a stereo vision imaging device. Forexample, an optical plant height sensor 32 may transmit particularfrequency ranges of visible light, near infrared light and/orultraviolet light at a plant row or plant from a fixed height on thesprayer or boom to generate a reflectance signal from the plant row orplant that is indicative of or proportional to the height of the plantrow. Therefore, the plant height 266 can give some indication of thematurity of the plant or plant row and the corresponding root zone for aparticular crop. For example, maize or corn plants at the VE to V5growth stage of maturity may be more susceptible to fertilizer damagethan plants at the V6 to VT growth stage; hence, the target zone for VEto V5 growth stage may be further from the plant 66 (e.g., plant stem)then the target zone for V6 to VT growth stage.

In one embodiment, the plant proximity processing module 52 estimatesthe distance, such as the average, mean or mode distance between one ormore plant rows to nozzle assembly 60, reference nozzle or referencepoint for each sampling interval. Further, the plant proximityprocessing module 52 may store a look-up table, database or other datastructure that defines the relationship between a lateral offset of thesprayer, the sprayer nozzle, or nozzle assembly 60 and a correspondingplant heights for a particular crop. In one configuration, the proximityprocessing module 52 or the data structure takes into consideration thatthe root zone of the plant or particular crop of a particular height maybe associated with: (1) a lateral offset of the nozzle assembly 60 withrespect to center point between adjacent plant rows, and/or (2) avertical activation of one or more nozzles (222L, 224L, 226L or 222R,224R or 226R) in vertical array of nozzles at different correspondingheights (68, 69, 62) above ground level, and different respective targetzones with respect to plant row segments.

In one embodiment, nozzle control module 50 (e.g., nozzle selectionmodule) determines whether to activate a first nozzle actuator 44, asecond nozzle actuator 47, a third nozzle actuator 148, fourth nozzleactuator 144, a fifth nozzle actuator 147, and/or an Nth actuator 48,where N equals any positive integer or whole number greater than 2. Thetarget zone estimator 20, the application plan module 22, and the plantproximity module 52, the first data processor 14, and the second dataprocessor 38 may provide input to the nozzle control module 50 forselection of appropriate number, location, radiation pattern, pressure,or other parameters of activated or deactivated nozzles. The nozzlecontrol module 50 may communicate with one or more actuators (44, 47,148, 144, 147, 48) via the second data ports 36. However, in analternate embodiment, the nozzle control module 50 may comprise anelectronic controller (e.g. that is housed in the nozzle assembly 60 orseparately from the second data storage device 46) and that is locatedbetween one or more second data ports 36 and the nozzle actuators (44,47, 148, 144, 147, 48).

In one configuration, an optional imaging device 34 comprises a stereovision imaging device or digital stereo vision camera with image dataprocessing. The stereo images of the plants or plant rows can provideguidance information that used separately or cumulatively with locationdata or motion data from the location-determining receiver 10 to guidethe vehicle 61 or sprayer relative to the plant rows, such as thelateral position (e.g., centered between adjacent rows of plants oroffset) of the sprayer, implement, nozzle assembly 60 or nozzle withinthe plant rows. Further, the second data processor 38, alone or incombination with the second data storage device 46, comprises an imagingprocessing module 91 for applying image processing to the collectedimage data, such as color differentiation to distinguish backgroundpixels from plant pixels. Background pixels may represent the ground,clouds, the sky or other background pixels, whereas the plant pixels mayhave some shade of green, flowers, fruit, seed pods, ears, or otherplant foliage color consistent with a reference database or range ofplant pixels for a particular crop type. The image processing module 91may be adapted (e.g., programmed with software instructions) determine acloud or constellation of data points of the plant pixels that representplant height of the plant rows or plants.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method or system for sprayingplants comprises a location-determining receiver 10 for estimating aposition of a sprayer or vehicle 61 with respect to one or more rows ofplants based on collected plant location data from alocation-determining receiver 10, an imaging device 34, or other datasource.

The collected plant location data can indicate a position of arespective row of plants. The collected plant location data can beestimated in accordance with various techniques, which may be appliedseparately or cumulatively. Under a first technique, during planting orseeding of the plant rows, a location-determining receiver (e.g., 10) onthe planter, tractor or implement, provides an as-planted map of theplant rows or plant locations in one or more fields. For instance, theas-planted map may be stored in or transferred to (e.g., wirelesslytransferred to) the first data storage device 16, the second datastorage device 46 or in a data storage medium.

Under a second technique, the plant locations or plant locations can bedefined by a series of points (e.g. geographic coordinates) that definesubstantially linear segments, curved segments, contours or spirals.Under a third technique, a planting plan for the planter provides a mapof plant rows or plant locations in one or more fields that can be usedby the location-determining receiver 10 and guidance system of theplanter to plant the seeds or plants. Under a fourth technique, plantrows or plant locations can be defined by linear or quadratic equationsthat are bounded by field boundaries.

If a distance sensor (30, 130L or 130R) is not used or is not available,an optional imaging device 34 (in FIG. 6) can be arranged to measure adistance between a nozzle assembly 60 (e.g., nozzle head) and a plant 66(e.g., plant stem) or a series of plants 66 (e.g., plant stems). Aguidance module 19 is adapted to align the vehicle 61; hence, the nozzleassembly 60 with a target path between the rows of plants, such as acentered path between the rows, or a lateral offset between the rows ofthe plants. A first nozzle (222L or 222R) is targeted toward a firstzone (432L or 432R, respectively) with a first lateral spacing withrespect to the plant 66 (e.g., plant stem) or plant row segment based ona first spray pattern 75 of the first nozzle (222L or 222R).

A second nozzle (224L or 224R) is targeted toward a second zone (434L or434R, respectively) with a second lateral spacing with respect to theplant 66 (e.g., plant stem) or plant row segment based on a second spraypattern 77 of the second nozzle. Further, a third nozzle (226L, 226R) istargeted toward a third zone (436L, 436R, respectively) with a thirdlateral spacing with respect to the plant 66 (e.g., plant stem) based onthe third spray pattern 79 of the third nozzle (226L, 226R).

In one configuration, the first nozzle (222L, 222R) may have a greaterheight 68 above ground than a height 69 of the second nozzle (224L,224R). The first nozzle (222L, 222R) and the second nozzle (224L, 224R)may be arranged in a substantially vertical array, such as a leftvertical array (or left applicator 220L) on a left side of the nozzleassembly 60 or a right vertical array (or right applicator 220R) on aright side of the nozzle assembly 60.

In another configuration, each nozzle assembly 60 has a left verticalarray of nozzles (e.g., first nozzle 222L, second nozzle 224L and thirdnozzle 226L) and a right vertical array of nozzles (e.g., first nozzle222R, second nozzle 224R and third nozzle 226R). A first nozzle setcomprises a pair of upper nozzles or first nozzles (222L, 222R) on therow unit or nozzle assembly 60 facing opposite directions toward a leftfirst zone 432L and a right first zone 432R associated with adjacentrows of plants. A second nozzle set comprises a pair of intermediatenozzles or second nozzles (224L, 224R) on the row unit or nozzleassembly 60 facing opposite directions toward a left second zone 434Land a right second zone 434R. Further, a third nozzle set comprises apair of lower nozzles or third nozzles (226L, 226R) on the row unit ornozzle assembly 60 facing opposite directions toward a left third zone436L and right third zone 436R.

In one embodiment, the first nozzle (222L, 222R) comprises an uppernozzle at an upper height 68 above the ground and wherein the secondnozzle (224L, 224R) comprises an intermediate nozzle at an intermediateheight 69, respectively) above the ground. In an illustrative example,the upper nozzle or first nozzle (222L, 222R) is directed at a firstdown-tilt angle 431 with respect to the vertical axis toward the firstzone (432L, 432R) the intermediate nozzle or second nozzle (224L, 224R)is directed at a second down-tilt angle 433 with respect to a verticalaxis toward the second zone (434L, 434R). In one embodiment, a lowernozzle or third nozzle (226L, 226R) is at a lower height above groundbelow the intermediate nozzle, wherein the lower nozzle is directed at athird down-tilt angle 435 with respect to a vertical axis toward a thirdzone (436L, 436R).

A nozzle control module 50 is adapted to control, select, or activateautomatically one or more of the nozzles of the nozzle assembly 60 basedto cover the first zone (432L, 432R), the second zone (434L, 434R), orboth as a target zone for the plant row segment based on the measureddistance. For example, the nozzle control module 50 is adapted tocontrol, select or activate any permutation or combination of a firstnozzle (222L, 222R), a second nozzle (224L, 224R) and/or a third nozzle(226L, 226R) based on maximum coverage (with a sprayed crop input) of atarget zone around the plant 66 (e.g., plant stem), a plant row, or aseries of plants 66 (e.g., stems) based on the first zone (432L, 432R),the second zone (434L, 434R), the third zone (436R, 436L) and themeasured distance (116L, 116R). In some configurations, the first zone(432L, 432R), second zone (434L, 434R) and third zone are configured asstrips that are parallel to each other and with respect to one or moreplant rows, where the first zone (432L, 432R), second zone (434L, 434R)and third zone (436R, 436L) are associated with a corresponding plantrow.

In another embodiment, the nozzle control module 50 (e.g. nozzleselection module) controls or selects the nozzle assembly 60. The nozzlecontrol module 50 may comprise an electronic controller. In particular,the nozzle control module 50, the plant proximity module 52, or both maycomprise electronic devices that are separate from the second datastorage device 46 and that are not stored in the second data storagedevice 46. For example, the nozzle control module 50 controls or selectsthe nozzle based on one or more measured distances (116L, 116R) and userinput of the crop input, such as whether the crop input comprises anutrient or a non-nutrient application, where the target zone fornutrient crop inputs is directed toward a ground zone with reference tothe plant 66 (e.g., plant stem) and wherein the target zone fornon-nutrient crop inputs is directed toward a foliage zone with respectto the plant 66 (e.g., plant stem) or plant foliage.

In one embodiment, an optional plant height sensor 32 or imaging device34 may estimate the height of the plant or segment of a row of plants,which can be assigned one or more target zones or foliar target zones.Alternately, the user may enter, via the user interface 28, the averageor mean plant height in a field or from a prior survey of a field by anunmanned aerial vehicle 61.

In another embodiment, the nozzle control module 50 selects one or moreactive nozzles on the nozzle assembly 60 based on at least one of themeasured distance (116L, 116R), an observed height (68, 69, 62) of thenozzle with respect to ground and any offset between the nozzle assembly60 with respect to a target path between the rows of plants.Alternately, the user may input the observed height (68, 69, 62) of thenozzle with respect to the ground or input a sprayer vehicle 61 make andmodel number that is associated with such observed height information(68, 69, 62).

In another embodiment, the nozzle control module 50 (e.g., nozzleselection module) selects one or more nozzles on the nozzle assembly 60based on at least one of the measured distance (116R, 116L), an observedlocation of the sprayer in the field, and any offset between the nozzlehead with respect to a target path between the rows of plants. In oneexample, the nozzle control module 50 can reduce the lateral width ofthe spray pattern on demand for a particular crop row segments withnormal than targeted row width (between two adjacent crop rows) toprovide uniform application of fertilizer to crop rows or to applyfertilizer in accordance with differential application requirements.Similarly, in another example, as the sprayer vehicle 61 makes turns orheadland turns, as sensed by a change in the heading or yaw rate of thevehicle 61 from the location-determining receiver 10, inertialmeasurement unit of the location-determining receiver 10, oraccelerometer (e.g., of the location-determining receiver 10), thesecond data processor 38 or the nozzle control module 50 can reducedynamically the lateral width of the spray pattern on demand to avoidoverspray or unwanted application of fertilizer, unwanted application ofherbicide, or crop inputs that might damage crops or other vegetation. Achange in the heading, a mathematical derivative of the heading, or yawrate or accelerometer data can be indicative of a turn of the sprayervehicle 61, for instance.

In one embodiment, a target path comprises a centered path betweenadjacent ones of the rows where distances measured by the pair ofdistance sensors 30 are approximately equal and where the nozzle controlmodule 50 selects or activates (simultaneously) via one or moreactuators the pair of first nozzles (e.g., right upper nozzle 222L andleft upper nozzle 222R) or the pair of the second nozzles (e.g., rightlower nozzle 226L or right intermediate nozzle 224L, and left lowernozzle 226R or left intermediate nozzle 224R). The target path comprisesan offset path between adjacent ones of the rows where distancesmeasured by the pair of distance sensors (30, 130L, 130R) are differentby at least a minimum threshold and wherein the nozzle selection moduleselects or activates one of the first nozzles (222L, 222R) and one thesecond nozzles (224L, 224R) such that the different zones (e.g., stripson the soil or on the plant row segments) are substantially targeted foradjacent rows of the plants.

The nozzle control module 50 is adapted to select or activate nozzles onthe row units or nozzle assemblies 60 independently from the other rowunits (or in synchronization or coordination with the other row units onthe implement) based on the measured distances from the correspondingpair of distance sensors (30, 130L, 130R) and based on the location ofthe sprayer in the field. For example, the nozzle control module 50 isadapted to select or control the nozzles on the row unit such that thereis compensation in the spray patterns for growth variation in the rowsof plants or variation or error in the as-planted spacing betweenadjacent rows of plants. For example, the compensation in the spraypatterns can account for guess rows or errors in adjacent passes orswaths of planters, for manually driven planting, or for plantingwithout use of precise position data from a satellite navigationreceiver 10.

As used in this document, the proximate plant portion comprises aclosest or nearest plant stem (66 166L, 166R) in a row of crop. In oneconfiguration, the first zone (432L, 432R) and second zone (434L, 434R)comprise adjacent bands or strips on the ground near the proximate plantportion. Further, a third zone (436L, 436R), which comprises a centralzone closest to the center point or centerline, between adjacent plantrow segments may be adjacent band or strip to the second zone. Althoughin some configurations there is no or minimal overlap between the firstzone (432L, 432R) and the second zone (434L, 434R), or between thesecond zone and third zone (436L, 436R), in other configurations theremay be overlap between any two zones.

In one configuration, the first data processor 14 and the user interface28 facilitate proper control of the spray patterns (75, 77, 79) fromeach nozzle assembly 60. As noted, a first data processor 14 is capableof communication with the guidance module and a user interface 28 iscoupled to the first data processor 14. Data may be inputted into theuser interface 28 in accordance with various examples, which may beapplied separately or cumulatively. In first example, the user interface28 supports entry of the crop input and ancillary data including any ofthe following: (1) whether the crop input comprises a nutrient or anon-nutrient application, and (2) if the crop is for nutrientapplication, the growth stage, planting date 83 or height of the cropsor plants. In second example, the user interface 28 supports entry ofthe average, median, or mean plant height in a row, field or zone ofcrop, or the average, median or mean lateral width or span of the leafcanopy of the plant in a row, field or zone of crop. In a third example,a user interface 28 is coupled to the first data processor 14, the userinterface 28 supporting entry of observed height of the nozzle withrespect to the ground or input a sprayer make and model number that isassociated with such observed height information.

Based upon one or more of the examples of data inputted into the userinterface 28, the first data processor 14 or the nozzle control module50 may adjust the target zone for nutrient crop inputs to be directedtoward a certain zone (e.g., first zone (432L, 432R), second zone (434L,434R), third zone (436L, 436R) or ground zone) with a correspondinglateral separation distance 366 with reference to the plant 66 (e.g.,plant stem). Similarly, the first data processor 14 may direct thetarget zone for non-nutrient crop inputs to be directed toward a foliagezone with respect to the plant stem (66, 166L, 166R) or plant foliage.

In one embodiment, a first distance sensor (30 or 130L) on a first sideof the row unit estimates a first estimated distance between the rowunit and a first plant or first row of plants. In addition, a seconddistance sensor (30 or 130R), on a second side of the row unit oppositethe first side, estimates a second estimated distance between the rowunit and second plant or second row of plants. Accordingly, nozzlecontrol module 50 is adapted to select different ones of the nozzles, onopposite sides of the row unit if the first estimated distance differsfrom the second estimated distance.

In an alternate embodiment, a plant height sensor 32 or imaging device34 is adapted to estimate a plant height 266 of the plants in plantrows, which can be assigned one or more corresponding target zones orfoliar target zones. In turn, the second data processor 38 or the nozzlecontrol module 50 selects or activates one or more nozzles (222L, 224L,226L, 222R, 224R, 226R) via a corresponding actuators (44, 47, 148, 144,147, 48, respectively) based on at least one of the measured distance,an observed height (62, 69, 68) of the nozzle with respect to ground,the observed position of the sprayer vehicle 61, and any lateral offsetbetween the nozzle assembly 60 with respect to a target path (e.g.,center point or center line, spaced equidistantly to each plant rowstem) between the rows of plants.

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of an illustrative sprayer vehicle 61and implement that hosts the system of FIG. 1. The sprayer vehicle 61has a tank 65 or tows a trailer with a tank 65 thereon, where the tank65 contains crop inputs for spraying or application to plants, soil, orthe field. The sprayer vehicle 61 supports boom assembly 54. Asillustrated in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3, the boom assembly 54 comprises alower boom member 58 and an upper boom member 56 that are connected viaa boom braces 57. The boom assembly 54 supports one or more nozzleassemblies 60 or nozzle heads per row unit. For example, a primarynozzle assembly 60 is supported by the boom 54 to treat or spray a firstrow and a second row of crop, whereas a secondary nozzle assembly 60 issupported by the boom 54 to treat or spray a second row of crop and athird row of crop, where the nozzle control module 50 controls,separately and independently, or in synchronization or coordination, theprimary nozzle assembly 60 and the second nozzle assembly 60 for thetargeted application of crop inputs and coverage of the crop inputs.Each primary and second nozzle assembly 60 may contain one or morevertical arrays of nozzles. A first vertical array is defined by anarray of left nozzles (222L, 224L, 226L), whereas a second verticalarray of nozzles (222R, 224R, 226R) is defined by an array of secondnozzles. The nozzle assemblies 60 are fed via supply lines (76, 64) thatare connected or coupled to the tank 65 or a pump 92 associated with thetank 65 that contains material 101 or other crop input.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the sprayer implement of FIG. 2 as viewed alongreference line 2-2 of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, except FIG. 2shows the relation of respective nozzle assemblies 60 to correspondingplant rows (of plants or plants 66 (e.g., stems)) of the sprayer vehicle61. Each nozzle assembly 60 has a vertical array of nozzles. Asillustrated, each nozzle assembly 60 has a pair of lower nozzles (226L,226R), a pair of intermediate nozzles (224L, 224R) and a pair of uppernozzles (222L, 222R). Each lower nozzle or pair of lower nozzles (226L,226R) has a lower nozzle height 62. Each intermediate nozzle or pair ofintermediate nozzles (224L, 224R) has an intermediate nozzle height 69.Each upper nozzle or pair of upper nozzles (226L, 226R) has an uppernozzle height 68.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the rectangular region 4 in FIG. 3, wherethe region 4 includes a nozzle head or nozzle assembly 60. For each rowunit, a vertical supply line 64 is connected to an input port of amanifold 214. Output ports of the manifold 214 are coupled to nozzles(222L, 224L, 226L, 222R, 224R, 226R) via nozzle actuators (44, 47, 148,144, 147, 48), such as electrohydraulic valves, that control the flow(e.g., on or off, or volume and pressure) of fluid between the manifold214 and the nozzles to produce a desired spray pattern or radiationpattern of one or more crop inputs. The nozzle actuators (44, 47, 148,144, 147, 48) are associated with a communications and power lines thatprovide communications from the implement data processing system 42 andelectrical energy to power the nozzle actuators (44, 47, 148, 144, 147,48) and distance sensors (30, 130L, 130R) of each nozzle assembly 60.Fluid or liquid that contains, suspends or dissolves crop inputs arehydraulically communicated or conveyed from the tank 65 to the nozzlesvia the supply lines (64, 76) and manifold 214. As shown, the distancesensor comprises a right distance sensor (30 or 130R) and a leftdistance sensor (30 or 130L), where the left distance sensor 130Ldetermines a left range or left distance between a left side of thenozzle assembly 60 and first plant row and wherein a right distancesensor (30 or 130R) determines a right range or right distance between aright side of the nozzle assembly 60 and a second plant row that isseparated from the first plant row and adjacent to the first plant row.The second data processor 38 may use the right range or right distanceand the left range or the left distance to estimate the lateral positionof the row unit or nozzle assembly 60 between rows of plants; hence,adjust the control, selection or activation differentially of certain(pairs of) right and left nozzles to compensate for the lateral offset(of the nozzle assembly from a center point between adjacent rows ofplants (166R, 166L)) and still deliver uniform spray pattern coverage(e.g., uniform dosing/application/concentration) of crop input to bothrows of plants (e.g., with a spray pattern that uses different nozzleson the right and left sides of the nozzle assembly 60).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the pair of upper nozzles comprises a leftupper nozzle 222L and a right upper nozzle 222R, where the upper leftnozzle 222L has a first down-tilt angle 431L and a right upper nozzle222R has a first down-tilt angle 431R from a substantially verticalaxis; the pair of intermediate nozzles comprises a left intermediatenozzle 224L and a right intermediate nozzle 224R, where the leftintermediate nozzle 224L has a second down-tilt angle 433L and the rightintermediate nozzle 433R has a second down-tilt angle 433R from asubstantially vertical axis; the pair of lower nozzles comprises a leftlower nozzle 226L and a right lower nozzle 226R, where the left lowernozzle 226L has a third down-tilt angle 435L from a substantiallyvertical axis and where the right lower nozzle 226R has a thirddown-tilt angle 435R from the vertical axis. In one embodiment, thefirst down-tilt angle is less than the second down-tilt angle. Further,the second down-tilt angle is less than the third down-tilt angle.

In one embodiment, the nozzle control module 50 is capable of selectinga new combination or permutation of nozzles of each nozzle assembly 60for each time interval for substantial alignment with a dynamicallyadjustable target zone associated with corresponding plant row segmentsbased on the observed position of the sprayer vehicle 61 in the field.As the sprayer vehicle 61 moves through the field, each nozzle assembly60 or row unit faces a series of adjacent row segments with: (1)potentially different spacing or different lateral offset to the nozzleassembly 60 with respect to a center point or center line betweenadjacent plant row segments, (2) potentially different growth stages ofplants or crop input requirements, (3) potentially differentprescriptions for crop inputs based on zones. The second data processor38 and the nozzle control module 50 can control, activate and deactivatenozzles of each nozzle assembly 60 on the boom 54 to provide the properor appropriate customized application of crop inputs for each rowsegment, such as by directing, on a row-by-row basis, the spray patterntoward one or more left zones or rights zones on each side of the nozzleassembly 60. Within the left applicator 220L or vertical nozzle array ofthe nozzle assembly 60, a set of nozzle actuators (44, 47, 148) canselectively and independently actuate, control (e.g., volume and/orpressure) activate or deactivate any one or more nozzles, including anypermutation of activated nozzles or deactivated nozzles or one or morecorresponding intervals as the sprayer vehicle 61 moves or progressesthrough the field. Within the right applicator (220R) or vertical nozzlearray of the nozzle assembly 60, a set of nozzle actuators canselectively and independently control actuate, activate or deactivateany one or more nozzles, including any permutation of activated nozzlesor deactivated nozzles for an interval as the sprayer vehicle 61progresses through a field with two or more rows.

The first nozzle actuator 44 can dynamically control, activate ordeactivate the corresponding left upper nozzle 222L for one or moreintervals in response to control signals or data from the nozzle controlmodule 50 (or the second data processor 38) and position data from thelocation-determining receiver 10, consistent with: the target placementdata 72, vehicle/implement data 64 and/or application rate data 70 forthe applied or sprayed crop inputs. The second nozzle actuator 47 cancontrol, activate or deactivate the corresponding left intermediatenozzle 224L for one or more intervals in response to control signals ordata from the nozzle control module 50 (or the second data processor 38)and position data from the location-determining receiver 10, consistentwith the target placement data 72, application rate data 70 andvehicle/implement data 64 for the applied or sprayed crop inputs. Thethird nozzle actuator 148 can control, activate or deactivate thecorresponding left lower nozzle 226L for one or more intervals inresponse to control signals or data from the nozzle control module 50(or the second data processor 38) and position data from thelocation-determining receiver 10, consistent with the target placementdata 72, application rate data 70 and/or vehicle implement data 74 forthe applied or sprayed crop inputs. The fourth nozzle actuator 144 cancontrol, activate or deactivate the corresponding right upper nozzle222R for one or more intervals in response to control signals or datafrom the nozzle control module 50 (or the second data processor 38) andposition data from the location-determining receiver 10, consistent withthe target placement data 72, application rate data 70,vehicle/implement data 74 for the applied or sprayed crop inputs. Thefifth nozzle actuator 147 can control, activate or deactivate thecorresponding right intermediate nozzle 224R for one or more intervalsin response to control signals or data from the nozzle control module 50(or the second data processor 38) and position data from thelocation-determining receiver 10, consistent with the target placementdata 72, application rate data 70 and vehicle implement data 74 for theapplied or sprayed crop inputs. The Nth nozzle actuator 48 (e.g., sixthnozzle actuator) can control, activate or deactivate the correspondingright lower nozzle 226R for one or more intervals in response to controlsignals or data from the nozzle control module 50 (or the second dataprocessor 38) and position data from the location-determining receiver10, consistent with the target placement data 72, application rate data70, and vehicle/implement data 74 for the applied or sprayed cropinputs.

FIG. 5 illustrates a lateral separation or alignment of the nozzleassembly 60 to adjacent rows of plants (66, 166L, 166R) and target zones(e.g., target root zones) on the ground. The tank 65 in FIG. 5 containsfluid or liquid material 101, such as a crop input for spraying orapplication to crop, plants or the soil, or pests or weeds within thevicinity of the crop, plants or soil. The pump 92 in or external to thetank 65 is capable of pumping the fluid or liquid material 101 to thenozzle assembly 60 or nozzle head via a network of supply lines (76,64).

A best illustrated in FIG. 5, the nozzles (222L, 224L, 226L, 222R, 224R,226R) are directed toward different target zones or strips, which areassociated with the ground near a left plant row and right plant row.However, in other configurations, it is understood that the nozzles(222L, 224L, 226L, 222R, 224R, 226R) can be configured to direct thetarget zones or strips at foliage above the ground. As shown in FIG. 5the left nozzles (222L, 224L, 226L) are arranged in a vertical arraycomprising the left upper nozzle 222L at an upper height 68 aboveground, a left intermediate nozzle 224L at an intermediate height 69above ground, and a left lower nozzle 226L at a lower height 62 aboveground. The left upper nozzle 222L has a first spray pattern 75 or anupper spray pattern directed at a left first zone 432L, which has theclosest lateral offset 366 to the left plant row 166L. The leftintermediate nozzle 224L has a second spray pattern 77 or anintermediate spray pattern directed at a left second zone 434L, whichhas an intermediate lateral offset to the left plant row 166L. The leftlower nozzle 226L has a third spray pattern 79 or lower spray patterndirected at a third first zone 436L, which is closest to a central pointbetween the two adjacent plant rows or which has the greatest lateraloffset to the left plant row (e.g., a stem or trunk of one or moreplants in the left plant row).

The implement data processing system 42 or the nozzle control module 50selects or controls the appropriate or proper activation of one or morenozzles within the left array (222L, 224L, 226L) of the nozzle assembly60 to cover any combination of one or more following zones: the leftfirst zone 432L, the left second zone 434L or left intermediate zone,and the left third zone 436L, which may be based on an observed ormeasured distance between the left plant row and the nozzle assembly 60,or an observed or measured distance between the right plant row and thenozzle assembly 60, along with botany, plant science, agronomic data,agricultural prescriptions, or horticultural recommendations. Forexample, the crop input (e.g., fertilizer or soil treatment) may betargeted to a certain root zone of a treated plant or treated segment ofthe (left) crop row based on: the crop maturity level, crop height, thelateral width of the foliage, or lateral width leaf canopy of the croprow, as observed by sensors or input data entered by an operator of thesprayer vehicle 61.

As shown in FIG. 5 the right nozzles (222R, 224R, 226R) are arranged ina vertical array comprising the right upper nozzle 222R at a upperheight 68 above ground, a right intermediate nozzle 224L at anintermediate height 69 above ground, and a right lower nozzle 226R at alower height 62 above ground. The right upper nozzle 222R has a firstspray pattern 75 or an upper spray pattern directed at a right firstzone 432R, which has a closest lateral offset to the right plant row ofplants 166R. The right intermediate nozzle 224R has a second spraypattern 77 or an intermediate spray pattern directed at a right secondzone 434R, which has an intermediate lateral offset to the right plantrow of plants 166R. The right lower nozzle 226R has a third spraypattern 79 or lower spray pattern directed at a third first zone 426R,which is closest to a central point between the two adjacent plant rowsor which has the greatest lateral offset to the right plant row (e.g., astem or trunk of one or more plants in the right plant row) of plants166R. The implement data processing system 42 or the nozzle controlmodule 50 selects or controls the appropriate or proper activation ofone or more nozzles within the right array of the nozzle assembly 60 tocover any combination of one or more following zones: the right firstzone 432R, the right second (or right intermediate) zone 434R and/or theright third zone 436R, which may be based on an observed or measureddistance between the left plant row and the nozzle assembly 60, or anobserved or measured distance between the right plant row and the nozzleassembly 60, along with botany, plant science, agronomic data,agricultural prescriptions or horticultural recommendations. Forexample, the crop input (e.g., fertilizer or soil treatment) may betargeted to a certain root zone of a treated plant 66 or treated segmentof the (right) crop row based on: the crop maturity level, crop heightor plant height 266, the lateral width of the foliage, or lateral widthleaf canopy of the crop row, as observed by sensors or input dataentered by an operator of the sprayer vehicle 61. Although FIG. 5 showsright nozzles (222R, 224R, 226R) in a vertical array, in alternateembodiments they may be in a substantially horizontal array, a diagonalarray, or any other spatial relationship with each other so long as eachdischarges crop input, via a corresponding spray zone (e.g., sprayzones, 75, 77 and 79), directed toward the right first zone 432R, rightsecond zone 434R and right third zone 436R. Similarly, in alternateembodiments, the left nozzles (222L, 224L, 226L) may be arranged insubstantially horizontal array, a diagonal array, or any other spatialrelationship with each other such that the crop inputs are directedtoward the left first zone 432L, left second zone 434L and left thirdzone 436L.

As used in this document, the first zone may refer to the left firstzone (432L), the right first zone (432R) or both; second zone may referto the left second zone (434L), the right second zone (434R), or both;the third zone may refer to the left third zone (436L), the right thirdzone (436R), or both. The zones may be altered by changing the down-tiltangles (431L, 433L, 435L, 431R, 433R, 435R) or other compound anglesthat define the direction that the crop input leaves each nozzle. Forexample, the operator can manually reduce the down-tilt of one or morenozzles in the nozzle assembly 60 to treat or spray the foliage of oneor more segments of plant rows in accordance with a treatment plan forfungicide, pesticide, insecticide or herbicide.

FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of a block diagram of a system forspraying plants. The system of FIG. 6 is similar to the system of FIG.1, except that the vehicle data processing system 12 further comprisesplant maturity estimator 80, target root zone estimator 82, and a clock84, along with the data references to the application date 81, andplanting date 83. Like reference numbers in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 indicatelike features or elements.

FIG. 6 further comprises an optional imaging device 34 (e.g., stereoimaging device) and other optional modules related to the imaging device34, such as a plant identifier 89 module, a plant height measurement 90module and an image processing module 91 (e.g., stereo image processingmodule). The imaging device 34 and modules are indicated as optional bythe dashed lines and will be described later in this document.

In FIG. 6, the user interface 28 allows the user to enter, download orinput information about the planted crop or seeds to establish aplanting date 83 for the crop in a particular field. The first dataprocessor 14 receives the input about the planting date 83 from the userinterface 28 and the current date from the clock 84 or user interface 28to estimate the number of days or corresponding maturity state of theplanted crop. For example, the plant maturity estimator 80 estimatesgrowing degree days of the crop based on the field zone 86 oragricultural region in which the particular field is located byobserving coordinates of the location-determining receiver 10 or userinput into the user interface 28 that indicates the field location orfield zone 86. In one embodiment, the vehicle data processing system 12may obtain or use the application date 81 of fertilizer or nutriententered by an operator via the user interface 28. In another embodiment,to enhance the accuracy of the plant maturity estimate determined by theplant maturity estimator 80, the vehicle data processing system 12 orplant maturity estimator 80 may use or obtain local historicalprecipitation, rainfall, or other historical weather data fromcommercially available sources accessed through a wireless network, anelectronic communications network or on the Internet via a wirelesscommunications device (e.g., wireless transceiver, cellular phone,satellite phone or smartphone) coupled to the first data ports 24.

In one embodiment, the target root zone estimator 82 provides a rootzone or target zone for crop inputs at, near or around the plant rowsbased on one or more of the following plant data: estimated plantheight, observed or measured plant height, estimated plant maturity,observed plant maturity, estimated drip line of the plant or plant row,estimated lateral width of the plant or row segment, or observed lateralwidth of the plant or row segment to be treated. For example, in oneembodiment, the target root zone estimator 82 provides a recommendedzone, among the first zone (432L, 432R), the second zone (434L, 434R) orthe third zone (436L, 436R), for each corresponding segment of a plantrow consistent with the plant maturity or other plant data output of theplant maturity estimator 80 that is correlated to plant maturity.

In one embodiment, the optional plant identifier module 89, the optionalplant height measurement module 90 and a stereo image processing module91 receive data, such as image data (e.g., stereo image data) of plantrows from the imaging device 34. The optional plant identifier 89 modulecompares reference images of reference plants or reference foliagestored in the second data storage device 46 or elsewhere to observedimages of plants or foliage in one or more plant rows to identify thecrop type, species or variety and to estimate the crop maturity. Forexample, the reference images may comprise plants at various referencegrowth stages in accordance with established, recognized or generallyaccepted plant maturity levels. The reference images may be stored inthe form of raw images, normalized images, a list of plant parameters, aneural network, or any other suitable format.

In one embodiment, the plant height measurement module 90 estimates aplant height of an observed crop based on collected stereo image data inconjunction with the image processing module 91 (e.g., stereo imageprocessing module). First, the image processing module 91 may use colordifferentiation to distinguish plant pixels from background images(e.g., soil, sky or weeds) in the collected image data. For example, thesecond data storage device 46 contains reference plant pixels colors ora reference range of potential plant pixel colors for comparison tocollected image data. Second, the image processing module 91 mayestablish a constellation of plant pixels and a boundary region betweenplant pixels and background pixels. For example, the boundary region mayrepresent a substantially linear or curved line near at the verticallimit or top of a plant or row. Third, the observed three dimensionalcoordinates of the collected image data in the boundary region areconverted to real world coordinates to estimate a plant height 266 ofplant or segment of a row of plants.

The system disclosed in this document is well-suited for selecting orcontrolling vertical position of active nozzles to provide desiredapplication of crop input to one or more target zones on the soil,and/or vegetation. Further, the system can adjust the spray pattern foreach crop row independently and dynamically to select a different spraypattern for each time interval and for each respective crop row segmentof any crop row or set of crop rows. The system can be configured toadjust the spray patterns for each crop row segment based on observed ormeasured lateral spacing within each row to compensate for as-plantedvariation or error in crop row spacing, such as variation associatedwith manual driving during planting or from use of satellite navigationservice or satellite navigation receivers that do not feature the latesttechnology in precise positioning.

While the disclosure has been described in detail in the drawings andforegoing description, the description shall be considered as exemplaryand illustrative, rather than restrictive of the scope of protection setforth in the claims. Various illustrative embodiments have been shownand described in this document, such that any changes, variants andmodifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure will fallwithin the scope of the disclosure and its associated claims.

The following is claimed:
 1. A system for spraying plants, the systemcomprising: a location-determining receiver for estimating a position ofa sprayer with respect to one or more rows of plants; an implementextending laterally from the sprayer and configured to be over some rowsof the plants of a row crop; a plurality of spraying row units spacedlaterally apart from each other on the implement; a nozzle assembly ofeach of the row units supported by, or suspended from, the implement ofthe sprayer, the nozzle assembly comprising a first nozzle with agreater height above ground than a second nozzle; a distance sensorassociated with each of the corresponding row units, the distance sensorconfigured to measure a distance between the nozzle assembly of itscorresponding row unit and a plant row segment that the distance sensorfaces to control independently, of other row units, the nozzle assemblyfor its corresponding row unit based on the measured distance; the firstnozzle directed toward a first zone with a respective first lateralspacing with respect to the plant row segment based on a spray patternof the first nozzle; the second nozzle directed toward a second zonewith a respective second lateral spacing with respect to the plant rowsegment based on a spray pattern of the second nozzle, where the firstlateral spacing is different than the second lateral spacing; and anozzle control module adapted to select or to activate one or more ofthe nozzles of the nozzle assembly of ones of the row units to cover thefirst zone, the second zone, or both as a target zone for the plant rowsegment based on the measured distance consistent with the first lateralspacing and the second lateral spacing to compensate for as-plantedvariation or error in crop row spacing of the plants; and a dataprocessor capable of communication with the guidance module; and a userinterface coupled to the data processor, the user interface supportinginput of a sprayer make and model number that is associated withobserved height information of one of the first nozzles and one of thesecond nozzles with respect to the ground.
 2. The system according toclaim 1 wherein the first nozzle comprises an upper nozzle at an upperheight above the ground and wherein the second nozzle comprises anintermediate nozzle at an intermediate height above the ground.
 3. Thesystem according to claim 2 wherein the upper nozzle directed at a firstdown-tilt angle with respect to the vertical axis and wherein theintermediate nozzle is directed at a second down-tilt angle with respectto a vertical axis toward the second zone.
 4. The system according toclaim 2 further comprising a lower nozzle at a lower height above groundbelow the intermediate nozzle, wherein the lower nozzle is directed at athird down-tilt angle with respect to a vertical axis toward a thirdzone.
 5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the first nozzlecomprises a pair of upper nozzles on the row unit facing oppositedirections toward a left first zone and a right first zone associatedwith adjacent rows of plants.
 6. The system according to claim 1 whereinthe distance sensor further comprising: a pair of distance sensors,comprising the distance sensor, on the row unit facing oppositedirections toward adjacent rows of plants; wherein the data processor isto determine a lateral offset of the nozzle assembly with respect toadjacent rows to facilitate selection of the one or more nozzles by thenozzle control module in substantial alignment with the target zone. 7.The system according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle control module iscapable of selecting a new combination or permutation of nozzles foreach time interval for substantial alignment with a dynamicallyadjustable target zone associated corresponding plant row segments basedon an estimated position of the sprayer in the field, where the sprayercomprises a vehicle.
 8. The system according to claim 1 wherein asecondary nozzle assembly is associated with a secondary row unitsupported by the implement, the secondary nozzle assembly having nozzlesarranged in a vertical array, wherein the nozzle control module controlssecondary nozzle assembly independently from said other nozzle assembly.9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the distance sensor comprisesone or more of the following: laser range finder, an ultrasonic rangedetector, and stereo imaging device associated on the sprayer orimplement.
 10. The system according to claim 1 further comprising: aplurality of nozzle assemblies located beneath or lower than a boom ofthe implement, each one of the nozzle assemblies comprising the firstnozzle that is controlled by a first nozzle actuator and the secondnozzle that is controlled by a second nozzle actuator; and a pluralityof distance sensors, where each distance sensor is mounted oncorresponding ones of the nozzle assemblies.
 11. The system according toclaim 1 further comprising: a data bus coupled to the data processor; adata storage device coupled to the data bus; a guidance module adaptedto align the row unit with a target path between the rows of plants,wherein the guidance module is storable in the data storage device. 12.A system for spraying plants, the system comprising: alocation-determining receiver for estimating a position of a sprayerwith respect to one or more rows of plants, comprising plant rowsegments; a row unit supported by or suspended from an implement of thesprayer; a pair of distance sensors on the row unit facing oppositedirections from each other, each distance sensor configured to measure adistance between the row unit and a proximate plant portion of acorresponding plant row segment that each distance sensor faces; a pairof first nozzles associated with the row unit, the first nozzles havingcorresponding first outlets facing different or opposite directions,each of the first nozzles directed toward a first zone with respect tothe proximate plant portion of a corresponding plant row segment basedon a first spray pattern of each first nozzle, the pair of first nozzlespositioned above a pair of second nozzles in respective vertical arrays;the pair of second nozzles associated with the row unit, the pair ofsecond nozzles having corresponding second outlets facing different oropposite directions, each of the second nozzles directed toward a secondzone with respect to the proximate plant portion of a correspondingplant row segment based on a second spray pattern of the second nozzle;a nozzle control module adapted to select or activate any two of thenozzles of a nozzle assembly comprising the pair of first nozzles andthe pair of second nozzles based on maximum coverage of a target zonearound the proximate plant portion of the one or more row segments basedon the first zone, the second zone, and the measured distance ormeasured distances; a first data processor capable of communication witha guidance module; and a user interface coupled to the first dataprocessor, the user interface supporting input of a sprayer make andmodel number that is associated with observed height information of oneof the first nozzles and one of the second nozzles with respect to theground.
 13. The system according to claim 12 wherein a target path ofthe sprayer comprises a centered path between adjacent ones of the rowswhere distances measured by the pair of distance sensors areapproximately equal and wherein the nozzle control module selects oractivates the pair of first nozzles or the pair of the second nozzles.14. The system according to claim 12 wherein a target path comprises anoffset path between adjacent ones of the rows where distances measuredby the pair of distance sensors are different by at least a minimumthreshold and wherein the nozzle control module selects or activates oneof the first nozzles and one the second nozzles, such that differentzones are substantially targeted for adjacent rows of the plants. 15.The system according to claim 14 further comprising: a plurality of rowunits, each of the row units having corresponding pairs of the firstnozzles and the second nozzles, and having a corresponding pair ofdistance sensors; wherein the nozzle control module is adapted to selector activate nozzles on the row units independently from the other rowunits based on the measured distances from the corresponding pair ofdistance sensors and based on the location of the sprayer in the field.16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the nozzle control moduleis adapted to select or control the nozzles on the row unit such thatthere is compensation for growth variation in the rows of plants orvariation in the as-planted spacing between adjacent rows of plants. 17.The system according to claim 12 wherein the proximate plant portioncomprises a closest or nearest plant stem in a row of crop.
 18. Thesystem according to claim 12 wherein the first zone and second zonecomprise adjacent bands or strips on the ground near the proximate plantportion.
 19. The system according to claim 12 wherein there is no orminimal overlap between the first zone and the second zone.
 20. Thesystem according to claim 12 further comprising: a guidance moduleadapted to align the row unit with a target path between the rows ofplants, the first data processor capable of communication with theguidance module; wherein the user interface supports entry of the cropinput, indicative of whether the crop input comprises a nutrient or anon-nutrient application, where the target zone for nutrient crop inputsis directed toward a ground zone with reference to the plant stem andwherein the target zone for non-nutrient crop inputs is directed towarda foliage zone with respect to the plant stem or plant foliage.
 21. Thesystem according to claim 12 further comprising: a guidance moduleadapted to align the row unit with a target path between the rows ofplants, the first data processor capable of communication with theguidance module; and wherein the user interface supports entry of theaverage, median, or mean plant height in a row, field or zone of crop,or the average, median or mean lateral width or span of the leaf canopyof the plant in a row, field or zone of crop.
 22. The system accordingto claim 12 wherein a first distance sensor on a first side of the rowunit estimates a first estimated distance between the row unit and afirst plant or first row of plants, wherein a second distance sensor, ona second side of the row unit opposite the first side, estimates asecond estimated distance between the row unit and second plant orsecond row of plants; and wherein the nozzle control module is adaptedto select different ones of the nozzles, on opposite sides of the rowunit if the first estimated distance differs from the second estimateddistance.
 23. The system according to claim 12 further comprising: aplant height sensor or imaging device for estimating a height of theplants in plant rows, which can be assigned one or more correspondingtarget zones or foliar target zones; the nozzle control module selectsthe nozzle based on at least one of the measured distance, an observedheight of the nozzle with respect to ground, the observed position ofthe sprayer vehicle, and any offset between the nozzle head with respectto a target path between the rows of plants.
 24. The system according toclaim 12 wherein the nozzle control module is arranged to reduce thelateral width of the spray pattern on demand for a particular crop rowsegments with narrower than targeted row spacing to provide uniformapplication of fertilizer to crop rows or to apply fertilizer inaccordance with differential application requirements.
 25. The system inaccordance with claim 24 wherein the nozzle control module is adapted toselect a target zone spaced further from a corn or maize plant or with alateral offset to a root zone during a certain growth stage of the maizeor corn plant for application of the fertilizer.
 26. The systemaccording to claim 12 wherein the nozzle control module is adapted toreduce dynamically the lateral width of the spray pattern on demand toavoid overspray or unwanted application of fertilizer, unwantedapplication of herbicide, or crop inputs that might damage crops orother vegetation based on change in heading or accelerometer indicativeof a turn of the sprayer vehicle.